Better Than Chance by Lane Hayes
I love a good romance story but until I began writing I
hadn’t really stopped to think about what type was my favorite. Some people love historical romance with
Dukes and reformed rogues. Some love
cowboys with a rough exterior and a warm heart.
Others like a good office romance.
The kind of modern day “we really shouldn’t be doing this” love story
that appeals to those who enjoy a forbidden romance. Personally, I love them all As long as the characters have an
unmistakable chemistry, I’m in!
Better Than Chance
is an office romance. At least that is
how it starts. Jay is convinced his project
leader is straight. But he isn’t overly
concerned by that detail because he figures the eye candy alone will be worth
the long hours he will have to endure over the course of the few months he’ll
be working under Peter. As time passes,
he begins to think Peter has a problem with him and he’s convinced it’s the
fact he’s gay that is the issue. Infatuation
turns to hate until something happens to make Jay realize he doesn’t really know
Peter at all. And he’s shocked and
pleased to find Peter is equally attracted to him. Jay does his best to play by the rules when
he and his boss agree to a “friends with benefits” arrangement, but eventually
it becomes apparent he’s fallen for Peter.
The underlying struggle between Jay and Peter is
communication. They are a case of opposites attract, which makes things
interesting but a little complicated.
Jay is an open, friendly, easy-going man while Peter is not. He is driven, serious and competitive. I love the interplay of the guys as they
navigate unknown territory. Their
journey has its share of bumps along the way until they come to a point where
they can’t deny they may have something special if they take a chance.
Do I love an office romance?
Absolutely! As a reader, I am
very open to any type of twist an author may want to apply to the tried and
true concepts of attraction. Straight
guy falls for gay man, rich guy falls for poor… or the good ol’ opposites
attract. But here’s the thing… I need to
believe in their story. That’s what
makes a romance novel exciting to me.
The voyeur in me wants to be a part of the journey. Although I’m not a huge fan of excess angst,
the truth is nothing good tends to come easily.
Sometimes there must be a hard fought battle and other times, it’s a
matter of faith. Or chance.
Thank you for having me today! I appreciate the warm welcome.
Happy Reading!
Lane Hayes
Blurb Better
Than Chance by Lane Hayes:
Jay
Reynolds has a crush on his project leader at work, but an office romance with
Peter Morgan isn't likely to happen since Peter is straight. Worse, Jay soon
fears Peter is homophobic, and his initial infatuation turns to loathing. But
one fateful night, Jay is forced to acknowledge things aren't quite as they
seem with Peter. Suddenly, his crush is back and unbelievably, Peter is
interested too.
They
begin a “friends with benefits” arrangement, which becomes difficult for Jay
when he starts falling for his sexy boss. Peter’s past issues keep him from
committing, and Jay has to decide if he can be satisfied with friendship if
Peter isn’t ready to take a chance on anything more.
“Close
the door, Reynolds.” His tone was sharp
and concise. No argument was expected or
welcomed. I obeyed and waited for him to
speak.
He
didn’t say a word. He pointed to a chair
and directed me to sit with a simple wave of his hand as he began a slow pace
around the perimeter of the small round table.
It was like being stalked by a tiger.
There was an electric air of danger in this tiny space and I had set it
in motion. I clung to my anger. I wasn’t wrong. Was I?
Peter
suddenly stopped. He stood at the other
end of the table with his arms crossed over his broad chest. As usual he was impeccably dressed in a
gorgeous dark suit tailored to perfection.
His dark wavy hair seemed a little longer. I absently wondered if he was growing it
out. But his dark furrowed brow and
intense stare told me to keep my ponderings to myself. He wasn’t in the mood to chat about
hair. He looked pissed.
“Explain
yourself.”
I
blinked twice. I was almost afraid of
him, but I knew that was irrational. I
had a legitimate reason for my outburst.
I just wished I had been a bit more professional about it.
“Fine. I will.”
Professional, I cautioned myself.
Don’t get personal. “You have
given me rather baffling critiques, Mr. Morgan that I frankly find ridiculous
and almost contrived in a way that suggests you want to point out the negative
whether or not it has any bearing whatsoever to the project at hand.” Good, well said, I thought.
“What
the fuck are you talking about?” He
looked genuinely perplexed.
“You
know what I’m talking about!” I
exploded. “Correct paragraph two,
sentence one.... that’s one example!
What was today’s going to be?
Change the use of my pronoun from direct to indirect? Or is it an adjective that you want me to
reconsider? Or...”
I
had become so worked up that I didn’t register that he’d moved until he was
three short feet away from me. He wore
the strangest expression. It was a cross
between tempered fury and frustration.
He held up his hand in that authoritative way of his, demanding that I
stop. Stop everything. Don’t talk.
Don’t move. I waited like a deer
in headlights to see what he’d do.
A
fresh wave of adrenaline rushed through my veins as I found myself literally
shoved up against the conference room wall with Peter’s large hand at my
throat. I swallowed hard and looked into
his dark angry eyes, his face was two short inches away from mine. His breath was warm against my cheek. He pulled back and shook his head as though
puzzled by his own actions before he tightened his hold at my neck and covered
my mouth with his own.
I
could barely breath. There was nowhere
to hide, no retreat possible so I gave in.
My mouth melted underneath his allowing the lip lock to become a kiss. A fiery passionate joining. Our tongues fought for dominance, licking and
sucking. Peter’s hands trapped my head
as he plunged even further into my mouth taking every last bit of control away
from me. He ran his tongue over my lips
before tracing a path along my jaw and biting my earlobes. I nudged him back with my nose and heard his
low groan as he once again fused his mouth over mine.
I
wrapped my arms around him and pulled his body close to mine. My hands kneaded his perfect ass through the
fine fabric of his pants as I sent my hips forward to meet his. We gasped at the first feel of friction as
our hardened cocks pressed together through our suits. It was electrifying and wickedly carnal. A mere glimpse into how intensely hot the
real thing could be if we let ourselves go there. Peter stopped abruptly, straightening his arms
on either side of my head. Our heavy
breathing was the only sound in the room.
“I
want you.” He growled, resting his
forehead against mine.
Purchase Links:
Amazon:
Dreamspinner Press:
Barnes & Noble:
5 Star Reviews for Better Than Chance!:
Sinfully Sexy Books:
Sidlove Book Reviews:
http://sidlove.com/2014/01/22/release-day-review-better-than-chance-by-lane-hayes/
Author Bio:
Lane Hayes is a designer by trade,
but is spending more time these days doing what she loves best. Writing! An
avid reader from an early age, Lane has always been drawn to romance novels.
She truly believes there is nothing more inspiring than a well-told love story
with beautifully written characters. Lane discovered the M/M genre a fews ago
and was instantly hooked. Her first novel was a finalist in the 2013 Rainbow
Awards. She loves travel, chocolate, and wine (in no particular order). Lane
lives in Southern California with her amazing husband, three teenage kids, and
Rex, the coolest yellow lab ever.
Contact Info:
Website: www.lanehayes.wordpress.com
Twitter: @LaneHayes3
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lane-Hayes
Email: lanehayes@ymail.com
